I. Daniel Blake

[fem2019]

Anyone else watching this tonight? (NC due to an outing comment I made recently). Saw it when it first came out and as a SP some of it hit home. As a statement of how it is to be without resources it is bang on. Be interested in what MN thinks.

I didn’t like it tbh...

I think just because it is true to life - as in, if you’re even half aware of how those benefits work, you already know that’s the stuff happening, only to real people.

I’m trying to work out what the point of it is, either you already think things are shitty for people or you don’t care, watching a fictional version isn’t going to change anyone’s point of view.

So what’s it for?

tabulah I think you overestimate people's awareness of the situation. Plenty of people my DM are still firmly entrenched in the "benefits scroungers" mindset.

I often tried to get a citizen advice appointment - I lived 16 miles away from the nearest office and don't drive, all the times the advisor was available I simply could't juggle a piss poor bus journey and to get back for my child when they got back from school.

Same went for the food bank, 16 mile bus journey to the town with my voucher, food bank was open from 4pm - 1.5 mile walk from the bus station, my last bus to get home so I was there for my child after school - 3pm which missed the food bank...

It isn't fucking cut and dry, it is an fucking awful hellhole to be in. UTTERLY.

So what’s it for? possibly for people, like some of the ignorant fucks that come onto Mumsnet, that think it’s a lifestyle choice, to live on benefits.

For those that don’t understand why he didn’t seek out the correct help, have you ever been so depressed and ground down by life that you lose the will to try? Being knocked back and patronised by those that are supposed to help you, that you are afraid to go to other agencies, because you fear being put through the humiliation again? It’s easy to judge if you’ve been lucky enough to have the education to know how to fill in the forms and answer the questions to the satisfaction of those in control, but it’s very fucking scary to even put yourself in front of those in power. This is real life for many people.

nods at PERF*

Very true to life, and now even worse with UC. But hey, people still think this is a great idea.

“ I think you overestimate people's awareness of the situation. Plenty of people my DM are still firmly entrenched in the "benefits scroungers" mindset.”

Am I overestimating? I hope so tbh.

But I suspect people who think that way about benefits still will, while also thinking - well I don’t mean that person... like they did before watching it.

Just finished watching it. Tears rolling down my face. I am also very angry.

Me too.

"For those that don’t understand why he didn’t seek out the correct help, have you ever been so depressed and ground down by life that you lose the will to try?"

I'm not sure if you're including me in the people you're addressing, but if you are, I'd like to make it clear that I do not judge people for not seeking help. I think it's the responsibility of the job centres, dwp helplines and local councils to signpost people to Citizens advice and other organisations. I think it's the responsibility of those organisations to do as much as they can to publicise the services they offer and reach the people who need their help. And I do understand that someone who is struggling won't necessarily have the motivation or knowledge to reach out to the people/organisations who could help them. But that's why I found the film frustrating and depressing. I wasn't blaming Daniel Blake or the people like him. In this particular instance I was frustrated with the filmmaker for missing a trick!

You're probably right tabulah but hopefully some awareness might spread.

The other thing that struck me about the film was how absolutely fucked you are if you aren’t entirely computer literate.

Dignity
Dignity
A system to strip people of their dignity.

Our public servants from the pm downwards being so fucking disrespectful, developing a system to mentally and emotionally cripple the very people they are meant to be serving.

I'm stuck in the hell of hhaving to claim ESA.
It broke my heart.
And actually, I absolutely can see an older person offering support to a person through a common experience. It's called community bonding.
Something our current leaders and media are desperately trying to prevent. Heaven forbid we all start to care and pull together right now.

Saw it a while ago, utterly heartbreaking. Ken Loach did a film many years ago called Cathy Come Home, on the theme of homelessness. It's very old now, but still relevant.

What I didn't get is why he was out of a job when ill
Why wasn't he entitled to sickness benefits?

AnotherEmma, it was at anyone on any thread that don’t understand what it’s like to be in that situation. I agree that people should be signposted, but unfortunately they very rarely are, and those that are, like my friend, can’t face siting in front of another desk, so give up. I’m currently trying to help a friend with alcohol abuse and serious mental health problems, but he’s exhausted by it all.

It takes so much out of you to constantly chase for this, prove that, contact everyone, get other proof, find out about this, fill that, visit here, wait there etc. One mistake and you're out. In the end you feel worthless and pointless.

I am educated although not to university level, just school and then worked from 16 until I had children.

Had 2 children and a part time job before leaving my abusive husband after 12 yrs.

Moved with help from my local council ( which I'm so greatful for, I had a housing officer who also had an abusive ex husband ) to a tiny cottage with no heating - just one open fire, in a remote village but local to my youngest childs school. My nearest job centre was miles away

I was told by one job centre advisor to give up my 50% care of my child to my ex husband so I could move to the nearest town child free and thus able to work 40 hours.

I was threatened with sanctions everytime I signed on.

Fucking hell on earth. Cut throat tactics.

Watched it when it first came out and it was really uncomfortable viewing. I've been there and the utter frustration, anger and hopelessness when faced with that level of bureaucracy is indescribable. Still to this day I have never hated anyone with the level of hate I feel towards the jobcentre staff and housing officers around here. I don't think i've ever actually hated anyone other than these lot. Even now just walking past the jobcentre makes me want to put a brick through the window.

I won't watch it again because it makes me feel like i'm back there again.

Haha to being able to get an appointment just like that with the citizens advice beareau. Embarrassment and sticking your head in the sand along with fear are also reasons people dont go for advice/kick up a fuss. Who wants to spend a moment longer than they have to in these places/on the phone to them? As seen in the film, there can be some awful condescending people working in these places.

Good luck and best wishes to everyone going through this crap.

I've had a family member in a similar situation so this was very close to home for me. Cried tears of anger and frustration throughout most of it. For shame, all Tory voters, that you're voting to make our society even more unequal and widen the margins between rich and poor. Hang your heads, all of you.

What I didn't get is why he was out of a job when ill
Why wasn't he entitled to sickness benefits?

He was entitled to them, but from what I have understood of the current assessment process (including from some threads on here) is that the initial assessment is designed to make it as difficult as possible to award the necessary benefits. In some cases the assessors even lie. The vast majority of people whose claims are not approved at the first stage are then approved at appeal. What the film is trying to show is how difficult the appeals process is made, both in the length of time it takes and the difficulty in filling out the correct paperwork. The longer the delay, the longer the government saves money. They also hope that people will decide not to appeal, or won't appeal because they can't understand the process. Never mind that this may result in people losing their homes or even dying.

Dwp don't signpost or help anyone.

You are a number on their system they need to get rid of.

One particular time sticks in my mind. I was sat with my DD waiting for my appointment, you can't be a minute late but they can keep you waiting indefinitely and a much older woman shuffled in.

She was 60 if she was a day, clearly mentally unwell, talking to herself, the smell of urine was something else. The way the jobcentre staff spoke to her about her 'weekly job search' was disgusting. As if anyone was going to employ this woman and as if she could hold down a job. She had no idea what was going on and was just looking at the floor and whispering to herself whilst this fucking prick lectured her on sanctions. Just beyond words, it really was. It was then I realised why they bolted the chairs to the fucking floor

“What I didn't get is why he was out of a job when ill
Why wasn't he entitled to sickness benefits?”

Because they decided he was fit for work...

I would honestly turn to prostitution before I put my hand out to this disgusting government ever again.

If I ever win the lottery i'm paying back every single penny they eventually gave me.